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Cleaning Silicone vs. Jelly Toys: What Really Differs

Adult toys being cleaned at utility sink

Silicone and jelly toys are not cleaned the same way, because they are not the same kind of material. Silicone is non-porous, so it can be washed and, in many cases, truly sanitized. Jelly (also sold as TPR, TPE, PVC or “rubber”) is porous, so washing only gets the surface. That one difference decides how you clean, how you share, and which toys are worth buying.

Below, we walk through both materials side by side, give you a simple routine for each, and cover the questions we hear most: toy cleaner or plain soap, how to handle jelly toys, and whether anal toys can ever be shared.

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TL;DR

  • Silicone (100%): non-porous. Wash with warm water and mild, fragrance-free soap after every use. Many solid, non-motorized silicone toys can also be boiled.
  • Jelly, TPR, TPE, PVC: porous. Wash gently with mild soap and room-temperature water, but know that they can’t be fully disinfected.
  • Sharing or switching body areas: use a fresh condom on porous toys every time. The CDC advises a new barrier between partners.
  • Lube matters too: silicone lube can damage silicone toys. Water-based lube works with every material.

Table of Contents

Why the material changes the cleaning

The word that matters is porosity. Healthline explains that silicone is non-porous and doesn’t absorb bacteria, while jelly, rubber, PVC and TPR are porous and can trap germs. Common porous materials include TPR, TPE, PVC, latex and jelly. Non-porous ones include 100% silicone, glass, stainless steel and ABS plastic.

Think of a porous toy like a sponge with holes too small to see. Soap and water rinse the outside. The microscopic openings can still hold onto bacteria after a careful wash. That is why experts treat “cleaning” and “sanitizing” as two different things. Washing removes surface debris. Sanitizing, through boiling or a suitable toy cleaner, is only really possible on non-porous materials.

How porosity changes toy cleaning and sanitizing

There is a second concern with jelly. A clinical reference guide for OB-GYNs notes that porous toys can contain chemical additives such as phthalates and may break down over time. A 2023 review in PMC found that even toys marketed as body-safe may contain phthalates above the limits set for children’s toys, and it recommends choosing brands that are open about their materials, ideally medical-grade or 100% silicone.

A rough field test the research mentions: if a toy feels like gelatin dessert, it is likely porous. Soft, sticky-feeling, or strongly scented toys are worth a second look.

Silicone vs. jelly at a glance

100% silicone Jelly / TPR / TPE / PVC
Porosity Non-porous Porous
Daily wash Mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water Mild, fragrance-free soap and room-temperature water
Can it be sanitized? Yes, for most non-motorized toys (boiling or suitable toy cleaner) No, not fully
Sharing between partners Wash well, or use a condom for extra peace of mind Condom every time, every partner
Switching from anal to vaginal Wash thoroughly first, or change the condom Change the condom; do not rely on washing
Lube Water-based only Water-based is safest
Long-term outlook Durable, holds up to repeated cleaning Can degrade, and may hold odors

The cautions in this table come from the Healthline cleaning guide and the Planned Parenthood lube guidance. Always check the maker’s own care card too, since mixed-material toys need each part cared for by its own rules.

How to clean a silicone toy

Silicone is the easy one. It asks for a few minutes and gives you a toy you can trust.

  1. Wash your hands first, with soap and water.
  2. Remove batteries if your toy has a removable battery compartment, and make sure that compartment is fully dry before you put them back. Moisture can cause corrosion.
  3. Wash the toy with warm water and a mild, unscented soap. Get into ridges, seams and the base.
  4. Rinse well. Leftover soap can irritate sensitive skin.
  5. Dry completely with a clean towel or let it air dry, then store it in its own pouch.

Can you boil it?

Solid, non-motorized 100% silicone toys can often be boiled, and non-porous materials are the ones that allow real sanitizing. One important exception: never boil a motorized toy, even if it is silicone. Heat can melt internal parts or warp the casing and permanently damage it. If you are unsure, check the instructions for your exact toy.

Keep silicone away from silicone lube

This catches a lot of people. Silicone-based lube reacts with silicone toys and can make the surface sticky or break it down. Water-based lube is compatible with all toy materials and with condoms. If you are choosing, our water-based lubricants are an easy pairing, and our guide to lube for sensitive skin explains what to look for on the label.

How to clean a jelly or TPE toy

Jelly toys are often cheaper and softer, and many people own one without knowing what it is made of. If that is you, there is no need to worry or feel embarrassed. Just adjust your routine.

  1. Use room-temperature water, not hot. Porous materials should be cleaned with mild, fragrance-free soap and room-temperature water.
  2. Skip boiling and the dishwasher. Heat is not a fix for porous materials and can damage them.
  3. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Trapped moisture is not your friend in a porous toy.
  4. Store it apart. Keep it in its own bag, away from other toys, so materials don’t stick or transfer.
  5. Use a condom. For any toy you can’t fully sanitize, a condom is your real hygiene step. Washing alone is the backup.

Be realistic about what washing can do here. Porous materials like jelly rubber or TPR are essentially impossible to fully disinfect, because bacteria can stay in microscopic pores even after a careful wash. Most experts suggest keeping them for solo use, or using a fresh condom each time with a partner.

If a jelly toy turns sticky, develops a strong smell that won’t go away, or looks cracked or discolored, it is time to retire it. Treat that as a sign of breakdown, not something to scrub harder.

Toy cleaner or plain soap?

Both can work, and the right answer depends on the material.

  • Mild soap and water is the baseline for every toy. It is what the CDC recommends: wash toys with soap and water after each use, and wash your hands right after handling used toys.
  • A dedicated toy cleaner is a handy extra for quick cleanups, travel, or between rounds. It is most useful on non-porous toys, where a surface can actually be sanitized. Always check the label for your toy’s material, and rinse and dry as directed.
  • On jelly toys, a cleaner doesn’t change the porosity. It is not a substitute for a condom.

Our Clean AF Sex Toy Cleaning Spray in Tea Tree comes in a 2 oz size that slips easily into a nightstand drawer or travel bag. Spray, wipe, and let dry, while still following the cleaning steps for your toy’s material.

Anal toy hygiene, and whether you can share

Anal toys are where the silicone vs. jelly question matters most.

Choose non-porous materials if you can. Silicone and glass are easier to wash well and can be sanitized. If you’re browsing, our anal toys and glass anal toys collections are good places to start. A flared base is a safety must for anything used anally, so check for one.

Don’t move from anal to vaginal without a reset. If a toy was used anally, it must be thoroughly cleaned or have its barrier changed before vaginal use, to avoid transferring bacteria such as E. coli, which can lead to vaginitis. With a porous toy, the answer is simple: change the condom, or don’t switch at all.

Sharing. Sharing without cleaning or a new barrier can spread infections, including Shigella and other STIs. Planned Parenthood says the same: body fluids on a toy can pass an infection to the next person. So the practical rule is:

  • Porous toy: new condom for every person and every body opening.
  • Non-porous toy: wash thoroughly between uses, and add a condom if you want an extra layer of protection.
  • Not sure what it’s made of: treat it as porous.

Condoms are easy to keep on hand. Browse our condoms, and read our note on lubricants that are safe with condoms so your lube doesn’t undermine your barrier.

Cleaning mistakes worth skipping

  • Using one cloth or brush for every toy. This can cause cross-contamination. The Healthline guide suggests color-coding your tools or keeping them separate by toy type.
  • Boiling a vibrator with a motor. See above: the casing can warp and the internals can fail.
  • Letting a battery compartment stay damp. Dry it fully before re-inserting batteries.
  • Assuming “body-safe” on a label settles it. Look for the actual material, ideally medical-grade or 100% silicone, and for a maker who is transparent about it.
  • Pairing silicone with silicone lube. Choose water-based.

Our perspective

When someone new to toys asks us where to start, we say the same thing: choose the material first and the shape second. A toy you can clean confidently is a toy you will actually enjoy, because you’re not wondering about it afterward.

That is why we lean toward non-porous materials like silicone for anything you plan to keep, and why we talk plainly about jelly. It isn’t shameful to own one. Many of us started there. But it asks more of you: a condom every time, gentler cleaning, and an earlier goodbye. For a first purchase that you want to last, 100% silicone gives you more room to relax.

We also believe good hygiene should feel easy, not clinical. A pouch for each toy, a bottle of water-based lube, a cleaner within reach, and a few minutes after play. That’s the whole routine, and it keeps your cove calm and comfortable.

— Amanda Monique

Ready to shop with confidence?

If you’d like toys that are simple to care for, start with our vibrators or dildos, and pick your material first. Everything ships in private packaging with discreet shipping, so you can browse and order comfortably. Add a water-based lube and a cleaner, and you’re set.

FAQ

Can I use the same cleaning routine for silicone and jelly toys?

The base step is the same: wash with mild, fragrance-free soap and water. The difference is what comes after. Silicone can often be sanitized further, while jelly can’t, so jelly toys need a condom and gentler, room-temperature washing.

How do I clean a TPE toy?

Use room-temperature water and a mild, fragrance-free soap, rinse well, and let it dry fully. Avoid boiling. Because TPE is porous, treat washing as the surface step only and use a condom when it is shared or moves between body areas.

Can you share anal toys?

It’s safest to use a fresh condom every time the toy changes partners, and a fresh one before moving from anal to vaginal use. Washing between uses helps, especially for non-porous silicone or glass. For porous toys, a new barrier is the dependable step. If you have questions about your own health, a clinician can advise you.

Is toy cleaner better than soap?

Neither is “better” across the board. Soap and water is the baseline for every toy, and the one the CDC points to. A toy cleaner is a convenient extra, mostly for non-porous toys, and it doesn’t make a porous toy safe to share without a condom.

Can I use silicone lube on a silicone toy?

It’s best not to. Silicone lube can react with silicone toys and leave them sticky or degraded. Water-based lube works with all materials and with condoms.

Sources